Sierra Club’s Seattle-based Deputy National Organizing Director Bill Arthur released the following statement in response:

“At a time when too many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet while the climate crisis is raging around us, the last thing any budget should be doing is making things harder for our families and our planet. Budgets are statements about our priorities as a nation -- and Senator Murray’s proposal has those priorities right.

Big oil and coal billionaires got their budget yesterday from Paul Ryan. But, today, Patty Murray and her Democratic colleagues in the Senate introduced a plan that reflects the needs of everyone else. This proposal demonstrates a strong commitment to the American clean energy economy, recognizing that investments in clean energy support three times as many jobs as oil and coal. At a time when extreme weather is rapidly becoming the new normal, this budget provides much-needed funding to help the Environmental Protection Agency mitigate climate disruption and keep our air and water clean. And - unlike the Ryan budget - Senator Murray’s plan doesn’t sacrifice our wild places to do it, providing for no new drilling while fully-funding programs to protect our lands and wildlife.

Now, it is important the Senate approve this legislation without letting it be held for ransom by big polluters and their poison pill amendments. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice the health of our families or our planet just to ensure our government can function and our economy has a future, and we need our Senators to stand up and make that loud and clear.”